EX-99.2 3 dex992.htm SLIDES USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CONFERENCE CALL Slides used in conjunction with the conference call
Fourth Quarter 2008
January 22, 2009
Filed by A. O. Smith Corporation
pursuant to Rule 425 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12
under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
Subject Company: A. O. Smith
Corporation
Subject Company’s Commission File
No.: 1-475
Exhibit 99.2


2
Forward Looking Statements
This
presentation
contains
statements
that
we
believe
are
“forward-looking
statements”
within
the
meaning
of
the
Private
Securities
Litigation
Reform
Act
of
1995.
Forward-looking
statements
generally
can
be
identified
by
the
use
of
words
such
as
“may,”
“will,”
“expect,”
“intend,”
“estimate,”
“anticipate,”
“believe,”
“continue,”
or
words
of
similar
meaning.
These
forward-looking
statements
are
subject
to
risks
and
uncertainties
that
could
cause
actual
results
to
differ
materially
from
those
anticipated
as
of
the
date
of
this
release.
Factors
that
could
cause
such
a
variance
include,
among
others,
the
following:
significant
volatility
in
raw
material
prices;
competitive
pressures
on
the
company’s
businesses;
inability
to
implement
pricing
actions;
negative
impact
of
future
pension
contributions
on
the
company’s
ability
to
generate
cash
flow;
instability
in
the
company’s
electric
motor
and
water
products
markets;
further
weakening
in
housing
construction;
further
weakening
in
commercial
construction;
a
further
slowdown
in
the
Chinese
economy;
expected
restructuring
savings
realized;
further
adverse
changes
in
customer
liquidity
and
general
economic
and
capital
market
conditions;
any
failures
to
realize
the
anticipated
benefits
of
the
proposed
Smith
Investment
transaction;
the
failure
of
A.
O.
Smith
or
Smith
Investment
stockholders
to
approve
the
proposed
merger;
the
outcome
of
the
proposed
transaction,
if
completed;
the
ability
to
satisfy
the
conditions
to
the
proposed
transaction;
the
impact
of
the
proposed
transaction
or
any
other
transaction
on
A.
O.
Smith’s
or
Smith
Investment’s
respective
businesses,
and
the
possibility
of
adverse
publicity
or
litigation
and
the
outcome
thereof
and
the
costs
and
expenses
associated
therewith.
Forward-looking statements included in this conference call are made only as of the date of this
presentation, and the company is under no obligation to update these statements to reflect subsequent
events or circumstances.  All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributed to the
company, or persons acting on its behalf, are qualified entirely
by these cautionary statements.
This presentation contains certain non-GAAP financial measures as that term is defined by the
SEC.
Non-GAAP
financial
measures
are
generally
identified
by
“Adjusted”
(Adj.)
or
“Before
Restructuring”.


3
2008 Highlights
Sales of $2.3 billion; flat with 2007
GAAP EPS of $2.70 or $2.89 adjusted for
restructuring
Operating cash flow of $107 million
Debt to Capital ratio of 34%
China water heaters still growing strong: $185
million in sales, up 26%
Restructuring activities at motors on track; $5
million in savings realized in 2008
Merger agreement with Smith Investment
Company
2009: GAAP EPS of $2.40 to $2.60


4
2009 Challenges
Headwinds
Soft housing market throughout 2009;
recession continues
Commercial demand expected to be down
substantially
Slower growth in China
Increased pension expense
Tailwinds
Water heater pricing
Restructuring benefits


5
2008 Results
Sales
2,304.9
2,312.1
 
(7.2)
    
-0.3%
Net Earnings (GAAP)
81.9
     
88.2
     
(6.3)
    
-7%
EPS (reported)
2.70
$   
2.85
$   
(0.15)
-5%
Restructuring
0.19
$   
0.33
$   
(0.14)
Tax Benefit
-
      
(0.16)
    
0.16
    
Adjusted EPS
2.89
$   
3.02
$   
(0.13)
-4%
(in millions, except per share)
2008
2007
change
% chg.


6
Fourth Quarter Results
Sales
508.6
 
569.9
 
(61.3)
    
-11%
Net Earnings (GAAP)
6.6
    
17.0
  
(10.4)
    
-61%
EPS (reported)
0.22
0.55
(0.33)
$  
-60%
Restructuring
0.07
0.26
(0.19)
    
Tax Benefit
-
    
(0.06)
 
0.06
     
Adjusted EPS
0.29
0.75
(0.46)
$  
-61%
(in millions, except per share)
2008
2007
change
% chg.


7
Water Products
1,451.3
1,423.1
28.2
   
2%
Electrical Products
858.1
   
894.0
   
(35.9)
  
-4%
Intersegment
(4.5)
     
(5.0)
     
0.5
     
Total Sales
2,304.9
2,312.1
(7.2)
   
-0.3%
2008 Segment Sales
2008
2007
change
% chg.
(in millions)


8
Water Products
346.2
   
379.0
   
(32.8)
  
-9%
Electrical Products
163.2
   
192.4
   
(29.2)
  
-15%
Intersegment
(0.8)
     
(1.5)
     
0.7
     
Total Sales
508.6
   
569.9
   
(61.3)
  
-11%
Q4 08 Segment Sales
2008
2007
change
% chg.
(in millions)


9
Water Products
134.7
   
150.0
  
(15.3)
  
-10%
Electrical Products
39.1
     
23.1
    
16.0
   
EPC Restructuring
8.7
      
22.8
    
(14.1)
  
  EPC - adjusted O.P.
47.8
     
45.9
    
1.9
     
4%
Corporate
(44.7)
   
(46.3)
   
1.6
     
Total operating profit
137.8
   
149.6
  
(11.8)
  
-8%
Margin
Water Products
9.3%
10.5%
Electrical Products*
5.6%
5.1%
* adjusted for restructuring
2008 Operating Profit
2008
2007
change
% chg.
(in millions, except percentages)


10
Water Products
29.5
     
45.1
    
(15.6)
  
-35%
Electrical Products
(5.2)
     
(18.0)
   
12.8
   
EPC Restructuring
2.9
      
21.2
    
(18.3)
  
  EPC - adjusted O.P.
(2.3)
     
3.2
      
(5.5)
   
Corporate
(10.7)
   
(12.6)
   
1.9
     
Total operating profit
16.5
     
35.7
    
(19.2)
  
-54%
Margin
Water Products
8.5%
11.9%
Electrical Products*
-1.4%
1.6%
* adjusted for restructuring
Q4 08 Operating Profit
2008
2007
change
% chg.
(in millions, except percentages)


11
Operating Cash Flow of
$107M
Cash cycle days of 66
vs. 57 last year
8 more inventory days
D&A $66M vs. CAPX
$66M
Debt/Capital 34%
Expect operating cash
flow of $150 million in
2009
107
191
0.0
40.0
80.0
120.0
160.0
200.0
Operating Cash Flow
12/31/08
12/31/07


2009 Outlook


13


14
Replacement
72%
China
10%
New Construction
18%
New Construction
22%
China
18%
Replacement
60%
Water Products
Electrical Products
But exposure to economic slowdown is limited


15
Water Heaters
Strong Replacement Markets
0
40,000
80,000
120,000
160,000
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
New Construction
Replacement
Residential (N.A.)
Commercial (N.A.)


16
Outlook
Volume declines, particularly higher margin
commercial business
Higher pension expense at approximately $10
million
Water heater pricing
China growth
Water Heaters
2008 sales increase to $185 M
Sales projected to be up mid-teens in 2009
Commercial hermetic motor business
2009 sales projected to grow
Restructuring benefits


17
$1.50
$1.75
$2.00
$2.25
$2.50
$2.75
$3.00
2008
2009 Forecast
2009 Forecast
$2.70
$2.40 -
$2.60


18
In connection with the proposed transaction between A. O. Smith and SICO, the parties
intend to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC containing a joint proxy
statement/prospectus.  Such documents, however, are not currently available.  The joint
proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to stockholders of A. O. Smith and SICO. 
INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE,
BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.  Investors will be able to
obtain
a
free
copy
of
the
joint
proxy
statement/prospectus
filed
by
A.
O.
Smith,
without
charge, at the SEC’s
website (http://www.sec.gov) once such documents are filed with
the SEC.  It will also be available on A.
O. Smith’s website (http://www.aosmith.com) by
clicking on A.
O. Smith Corporation, Investor Relations and then SEC filings.  Copies of
the joint proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, without charge, once they are
filed with the SEC, by directing a request to A. O. Smith Corporation, Attention: Investor
Relations, 11270 West Park Place, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224.
A. O. Smith, SICO and their respective directors, executive officers and other employees
may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of A.
O. Smith and SICO in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the
directors and executive officers of A. O. Smith and SICO and their respective interests in
the proposed transaction will be available in the joint proxy statement/prospectus.